The long-awaited debut album from Manchester post-punk band Loose Articles, Scream If You Wanna Go Faster, it out today via the mighty Alcopop! Records, and believe me when I say it is worth it the wait. It’s our #albumofthemonth!
The album opens with a recent single, ‘Mr. Manager’, followed by ‘Are You A Welder’, which sounds like what you might get if you combined The B-52‘s with The Epoxies, delivered in Natalie’s trademark dry, Mancunian vocals.
It’s clear from the start that this album is a step forward for Loose Articles. Their already addictive discordant, angular sound is expanded on with the addition of a more prominent spacey synth-layer, and the end result is perfect.
When it came to recording the album, the band aimed to capture the high energy of their live gigs, crediting the results to “the fuel of an array of Pot Noodles and medicinal drugs, we created a Loose Articles extravaganza bedazzled with big riffs, footy whistles and cowbells to keep you on your toes!”.
‘I’ve Nearly Made It’ is a definite highlight, which sees the band addressing the ridiculous expectations society has decided women adhere to in order to be a “success”. It’s a slower, moodier track, that slowly builds in tension and anger.
This album is the perfect soundtrack for dancing your way through the current (shitty) political climate. Loose Articles have a way of taking real, current issues, and bringing them to your attention without making you feel hopeless – instead, they leave you feeling motivated, inspired, ready to channel your rage into something productive. And why shouldn’t we be able to dance while changing the world?
The album is available on a limited leopard print vinyl, and as four different football-themed CD’s – one representing each member of the band (Everton, FC United, The Corinthians Ladies FC, and Loose Articles FC) – get yours here.
This release is the start of a packed Spring/Summer for Loose Articles, with them supporting The Lovely Eggs on their UK tour, opening for Foo Fighters, co-headlining a tour with CHROMA, as well as a host of festival appearances – dates below!
20/04 – Hit The South Festival, London
21/04 – Wardrobe, Leeds
28/04 – Band On The Wall, Manchester
02/05 – Georgian Theatre, Stockton
16/05 – Festifun, Nantes
23/05 – St Luke’s Glasgow (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
24/05 – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
25/05 – The Grove, Newcastle (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
26/05 – The Brudenell, Leeds (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
27/05 – Xoyo, Birmingham (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
28/05 – Thekla, Bristol (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
29/05 – Chalk, Brighton (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
30/05 – Earth, London (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
31/05 – Rescue Rooms, Nottingham (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
01/06 – New Century Hall, Manchester (w/ The Lovely Eggs)
07/06 – Trades Club, Hebden Bridge (w/Chroma)
08/06 – Craufurd Arms, Milton Keynes (w/Chroma)
09/06 – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff (w/Chroma)
13/06 – Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester (w/Foo Fighters)
06/07 – Right to Roam, Bolton
26/07 – Other Festival, Sheffield
03/08 – Rebellion Festival, Blackpool
16-18/08 – Green Man, Crickhowell
01/09 – Edinburgh Psych Fest
11/10 – Halifax Town Festival, Grayston Unity, Halifax
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